Soccer training device

ABSTRACT

Novel soccer training devices are disclosed herein, the device comprising a tether secured to a stationary member (e.g. stake) and a bail enclosure for carrying a soccer ball. The tether is secured to a swivel that allows a soccer player to practice more effectively his kicking and throwing skills

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to novel soccer training devices, in particular devices that can attach to a soccer ball to enable a player to practice his or her kicking and throwing skills.

In certain embodiments, the inventive soccer training device comprises a ball enclosure, such as a bag, for example, configured to carry and maintain therein a soccer ball. The ball enclosure further includes a cord for securing the ball therein. The device further includes a stationary member, such as a stake, and a tether having first and second ends for securing the ball enclosure to the stationary member, the first end of the tether being secured to the stationary member. The tether further has a length defining a distance between the stationary member and the ball enclosure when the tether is secured to the stationary member and the ball enclosure. Secured to the tether is a swivel. The swivel comprises a tether connecting element secured to the second end of the tether and a cord connecting element secured to the cord of the ball enclosure. The inventive training device is designed such that when the soccer ball is placed within the ball enclosure, a player may more effectively practice placing spins on the ball as he throws the ball (i.e. practicing his “English”) via the swivel mechanism. The incorporation of the swivel mechanism also allows a player to practice “bending” the ball or placing other spins on the ball when kicking. The swivel component of the inventive training device allows the player to practice in this way more effectively because the swivel, which is designed to rotate 360 degrees, prevents the tether from twisting about itself and inhibiting the spin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of the inventive soccer training device (without the soccer ball).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of inventive training device similar to that shown in FIG. 1, further illustrating how the length of the tether component of the device may be adjusted.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the entire inventive training device illustrated in FIG. 1 (i.e. including the soccer ball enclosure).

FIG. 4 is a side view of the inventive training device showing a soccer player kicking the soccer ball enclosed within the ball enclosure.

FIG. 5 is a partial section view of one embodiment of the locking device which may be used to adjust the length of the tether and/or to lock the soccer ball within the ball enclosure.

FIG. 6 is the locking device illustrated in FIG. 5, showing the tether (or cord of the ball enclosure) secured therein.

FIG. 7 is a partial section view of another suitable locking device which may be used to adjust the length of the tether and/or to lock the soccer ball within the ball enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the inventive soccer training device 10 comprises a tether 40 having a first end 43 secured to a stationary member, such as a stake 70 (as shown in the figures) and a second end 42 secured to a swivel 30. The swivel, in turn, is connected to a cord 12 of a ball enclosure 80. Preferably, the ball enclosure is a mesh bag sufficiently large to carry a soccer ball B.

The swivel 30 comprises two components that may rotate about one another 360 degrees in the direction of the arrow A (both clockwise and counterclockwise). As shown, the tether connecting component 31 is secured to one end 42 of the tether, and the cord connecting element 32 is secured to the cord 12 of the ball enclosure 80. Any swivel design known by those of ordinary skill in the art may be employed in the current invention, provided the swivel has the aforementioned connecting elements or similar elements that can be secured to both the tether 40 and the cord 12. In the swivel 30 shown in the figures (see e.g. FIG. 2), the cord connecting element has a ring or hook portion 32 a integral with a post (i.e. male component of the swivel) 32 b. The tether connecting element has a first ring or hook portion 31 a integral with or terminating into a second ring portion (i.e. female component of the swivel) 31 b configured to receive the post 32 b of the cord connecting element. Alternatively, the tether connecting element may contain the male component of the swivel, with the cord connecting element containing the female component. Another swivel design (not shown) comprises each connecting element having a female component, with a free post engaged within each of the female components. The respective cord and tether connecting components freely rotate about the post. Such swivel designs are commonly known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

As discussed above, and illustrated in the figures, the second end 42 of the tether is connected to the tether-connecting element 31 of the swivel while the first end 43 is secured to a stationary member, such as a stake 70 as illustrated. The first end 43 of the tether may be secured directly to the stake (not shown), such as by tying or lassoing about the stake. Alternatively, the first end 43 of the tether may be secured to a second swivel 35, as shown. Here, the first end 43 of the tether is secured to a tether connecting element 36, which in turn is rotatably secured to a clip 51. As shown, the clip 51 and tether connecting element 36 may rotate 360 degrees about the swivel post 37. Alternatively, the first end 43 of the tether may be secured directly to the clip 51, with the clip, in turn, being attached directly to the stationary member (not shown) or to a ring 60 extending perpendicularly from the stake 70, as shown.

The stationary member is preferably a stake 70, as shown in the figures, having a piercing member 71 configured to penetrate the underlying ground G. Alternately, the stationary member can be a heavy weight with enough mass to prevent the weight from moving when the device is in use. For indoor use, the stationary member may include one or more suction cups that may be attached to the floor (not shown).

As discussed above, the cord connecting element 32 of the swivel 30 is secured to the cord 12 of the ball enclosure 80 (FIG. 3). Preferably, the ball enclosure 80 is a bag having an upper edge 81 that is folded over to form a tunnel 82. The cord 12, in this embodiment, is threaded through the tunnel 82, and functions as a drawstring. The ball may be tightly secured within the bag by pulling upon the cord. The bag remains closed via a locking element 20 through which the cord 12 is threaded. The all is maintained in the bag by moving the locking element toward the top edge 81 of the bag. To remove the ball from the bag, the locking member is moved away from the bag toward the swivel 20. It will be appreciated by those or ordinary skill in the art that any suitable means for carrying a soccer ball may be employed. Suitable ball enclosures include, but are not limited to, mesh bags. Alternatively, the cord may be secured directly to a special practice soccer ball (not shown) designed to have a cord attached directly to the ball. Such a soccer ball may have a ring extending from the outside surface to which the cord may be attached.

In use, the inventive soccer training device 10 is secured to the ground via the stationary member 70. For outside play, a stake 70 is preferably used and driven into the ground G (see FIG. 4) as discussed above. The desired length of the tether, as discussed in more detail below, is adjusted and the ball is placed within the ball enclosure. The ball may be kicked (FIG. 4) or thrown (not shown) by the soccer player P and can be easily retrieved by pulling along the tether 40, since the tether, once connected to the stake, prevents the ball from traveling any farther than the length of the tether. The inventive soccer training device not only allows the player P to practice straight kicks and throw-ins, but because of the incorporation of the swivel, the inventive device allows the player to place effective spins on the ball while kicking (i.e. “bending the ball”) without twisting the tether about itself to inhibit the full effect of the spin. Similarly, the soccer player can practice putting “English” on the ball (i.e. spins) for in-bound throw-ins as well goalkeeper throws, without twisting the tether. Significantly, without the swivel attached to the tether, the tether will twist about itself, thereby limiting the spin that can be placed on the ball when kicked or thrown. Only one swivel 30 is necessary, being preferably placed about 6 to about 14 inches away from the ball; however, an additional swivel 37 may be employed as well near the stake, as shown. As discussed above, the swivel may be of the designs 30, 35 illustrated herein or equivalent designs commonly know by those ordinary skill in the art.

Other aspects of the present invention include a means for temporarily adjusting the length of the tether prior to use. As used herein with reference to the tether component of the present invention, “length” means the distance between the first and second ends 43, 42 of the tether 40. Preferably, a tether having a maximum length of about 45 feet is employed, although longer or shorter tethers may be used as desired. One means for adjusting the length of the tether is shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 5-6. Here, a locking element 20 is provided through which the tether 40 is threaded. [Note that the same locking element 20 design may be employed to tighten the cord about the ball enclosure, as described above.] The locking element may include a barrel 201 and spring-biased element 202 movably engaged therein. Both the spring-biased element and the barrel have a channel 204, 205 communicating therethrough and through which the tether 40 is threaded. When the spring-biased member is depressed (in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 5), the respective channels are in alignment, thereby allowing the tether to move freely there through for length adjustment purposes. When the spring-biased member is released, the member 202 moves upward in the direction of the arrow, thereby causing the two channels 204, 205 to become out of alignment, thereby wedging a portion of the tether therebeween as shown. The tether is threaded through the two channels twice, such that a loop portion 41 of the tether is flush against the outside surface of the barrel (FIGS. 1-3). To adjust the length of the tether, the spring-biased member 202 is depressed as shown in FIG. 5 to release the loop portion 41 of the tether. The loop portion 41 wrapped outside the barrel may be pulled outward as desired a distance to form a larger loop. The larger the loop, the shorter the tether becomes. As shown in FIG. 2, the loop 41 may be secured to the stake, for example, thereby shortening the tether. It will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other means for attaching the loop portion 41 to the stake and/or the means for adjusting the length of the tether may be employed and still be within the spirit of the invention. Moreover, other locking element designs may be employed to accomplish the same function, such as the design shown in FIG. 7, for example. 

1. A soccer training device comprising: a. a ball enclosure configured to carry and maintain therein a soccer ball, said ball enclosure further having a cord extending therefrom; b. a stationary member; c. a tether having first and second ends for securing said ball enclosure to said stationary member, said first end of said tether secured to said stationary member, said tether further having a length; and d. a swivel, said swivel comprising a tether connecting element secured to said second end of said tether and a cord connecting element secured to said cord of said ball enclosure.
 2. The soccer training device of claim 1, wherein said ball enclosure is a bag having a top edge and a drawstring engaging tunnel formed about the top edge, and wherein said cord is a drawstring engaged within said tunnel.
 3. The soccer training device of claim 2, further including a locking element positioned between said swivel and said ball enclosure, wherein said cord is threaded through said locking element, such that when said locking element is disengaged, said locking element may be moved toward said ball enclosure and substantially flush therewith to secure said ball therein.
 4. The soccer training device of claim 1, further including a locking element secured to said tether and oriented between said swivel and said first end of said tether, said locking element comprising a barrel having a transverse channel extending through each side of said barrel, and wherein said tether is threaded through the channel of said barrel such that a portion of said tether is looped around one side of the barrel, when said locking element is disengaged to allow movement of said tether therein, said portion of said tether may be lengthened to form a loop, such that the larger said loop, the shorter said distance is created, and the smaller said loop, the longer said distance is created.
 5. The soccer training device of claim 4, wherein said locking element includes a spring-biased element movably engaged with said barrel, said spring biased element having a longitudinal member extending distally therefrom, said longitudinal member having a transverse channel communicating therethrough and through which said tether is threaded, wherein said spring-biased channel is in registration with said barrel channel when said spring-biased element is depressed, and wherein when said spring biased portion is released, said channels are offset, thereby maintaining said tether therein to prevent said tether from moving within said locking element.
 6. The soccer training device of claim 1, further including a means for adjusting said distance between said ball enclosure and said stationary member.
 7. The soccer training device of claim 1, wherein said first end of said tether is secured to a clip, said clip configured to engage said stationary member.
 8. The soccer training device of claim 7, wherein said stationary member includes a tether engaging member extending from said stationary member, said tether engaging member comprising a ring to which said clip may be engaged.
 9. The soccer training device of claim 1, wherein said first end of said tether is secured to said stationary member via a second swivel, said second swivel having a stationary member connecting element and a tether connecting element secured to said first end of said tether.
 10. The soccer training device of claim 9, wherein said stake connecting element of said second swivel is a clip for engaging said stationary member.
 11. The soccer training device of claim 1, wherein said cord is at least about 6 inches in length.
 12. The soccer training device of claim 11, wherein said cord is from about 6 inches to about 14 inches in length.
 13. A soccer training device comprising: a. a cord having a first end configured for attachment to a soccer ball; b. a tether having a first end configured for attachment to said stationary member; and c. a swivel, said swivel comprising a tether connecting element secured to said second end of said tether and a cord connecting element secured to a second end of said cord.
 14. The soccer training device of claim 13, wherein said stationary member is a stake, said stake having a distal piercing end configured to be driven into an underlying ground area, said stake further having a proximal end extending above ground when said stake is driven into said ground, whereby said first end of said tether is secured to a portion of said proximal end.
 15. A soccer training device comprising: a. a cord having a first end configured for attachment to a ball enclosure designed to carry and maintain therein said soccer ball; b. a tether having a first end configured for attachment to said stationary member and a second end; and c. a swivel, said swivel comprising a tether connecting element secured to said second end of said tether and a cord connecting element secured to a second end of said cord.
 16. The soccer training device of claim 15, further including a ball enclosure secured to said cord.
 17. The soccer training device of claim 15, wherein said stationary member is a stake, said stake having a distal piercing end configured to be driven into an underlying ground area, said stake further having a proximal end extending above ground when said stake is driven into said ground, whereby said first end of said tether is secured to a portion of said proximal end.
 18. A method for adjusting the distance between said ball enclosure and said stationary member of the soccer training device described in claim 1, wherein said distance is less than the maximum length of said tether, said method comprising: a. moving said tether through said locking device to form said loop about said locking device; and b. securing said loop to said stationary member. 